Vermont 2010

On Wednesday, October 20th, Vicki and I drove up to Seekonk, Mass.  It was a cloudy day but the temperature was in the 60s, so it was nice.  We had dinner with Matt, Carol and the kids and then [after watching a few innings of the Yankee win] went off to bed.

Thursday, it was rainy but we were Waterbury bound so we were happy.  Actually, I really didn't want to leave as Josh had crawled up on my lap while watching George of the Jungle.

We picked up Dina [Carol's mother] and headed northwest.  Even though we had rain most of the trip, it was a delightful drive - okay, "ride" since Vicki was driving, but she was doing fine.  Wonderful highways all the way and the foliage was still in tact for a good part of the way, and quite colorful.  Once we crossed over into New Hampshire, there's a state liquor store where we stopped to pick up necessities for the parties.  Even though we left Seekonk before Matt and his family, we ran into them there.  The temps had dropped considerably and it was quite chilly. 

After our purchases, we traveled on.  We got to Waterbury and checked into the hotel.  Dan had kindly offered to pick up Steve at Logan Airport on Wednesday night and they were already at the hotel.  We all got settled into our rooms and met in The Great Room.  The kids played and then Carol and Vicki took them swimming.

Dina joined them but spent a good deal of time in the hot tub.  Vicki joined her there after the kids wore her out.

Steve and Dan had pizza delivered, but I must say, Vermont pizza just doesn't do it for me.  However, it was fast, easy and the kids didn't have to leave their Fundom.  Jim and Sue stopped by and we had a nice visit.  I so wish I could see my family more often, but am so very grateful for our yearly gathering in Vermont.  Hopefully, Kathy will join us next year.

On Friday morning, we had a mix of rain showers and then snow showers.  The ski trails at Stowe were already covered in snow, but it doesn't open until around Thanksgiving.  We all went over to Waterbury Center to Cold Hollow Cider Mill.  This place is fabulous!  The freshly made [while you watch] cider is like biting into a crisp, cold apple.  And the cider donuts!  Delish!  Someone conned The Three of Five Cousins to have their photo taken:

That's Steve, Dan and Matt.  Chris and Pat still had classes so they didn't join us.  However, we were also able to get Laura and Josh to pose, as well.

After stocking up on all things carb, we headed into Stowe.  What a nice little town this is - totally geared to outdoor living - skiing, biking, hiking, fishing - with many historical sites.  This isn't one of them, but an example of the architecture.

We found this little setting along the sidewalk.

And in one of the stores, we found Laura surrounded by Mama and Papa!  She wasn't frightened one little bit.

Eventually, one needs more carbs so back to Waterbury Center to Ben & Jerry's we went.  We took the tour, were given a sample and shopped the gift shop [no, I didn't buy anything].  By this time, The Short People were in need of a nap as Dinner at Jim and Sue's was not far off and, of course, The Final Game  [as it turned out] of the ALCS!  So, naps were taken and adults were refreshed and off to Jim and Sue's we went.  Vicki, Steve, Dina and I were the first to arrive as we were ready and eager to see them all.

As usual, we were provided with wonderful fare.  Chris even made a couple of pizzas to snack on.  Note to Chris:  open up a pizza shop in Waterbury - you'd blow away the competition.

Pat, of course, offered encouragement.

We all enjoyed great food, great conversation and perhaps a libation or two - adults only, of course.  Since Chris turned 21 in March, he's one of us now.

Laura certainly enjoyed her dinner, and so did Josh sitting on Grandma Dina's lap!

Grandma Vicki was just enjoying the entire experience, as was I.

 Matt and Carol also had a wonderful time.

Jim and Sue get the award of Fabulous Host and Hostess, yet again this year!

This year was Dan's first time but it won't be his last.  He said he will definitely be with us in 2011 and he, along with the rest of the family, will try to convince Kathy to leave Florida for a while and meet us in Vermont.  I have a good feeling about it.

Before too long, the baseball fans that ARE the Five Cousins, headed back to the hotel's Great Room to watch the game on the big screen.  So after the rest of us had some fabulous apple pieS, we too headed back.  Steve and Dan are devoted Rangers fans and Chris and Pat are Red Sox fans.  Matt is the only Yankees fan and showed grace and dignity in the defeat of his team.  Steve was beside himself.  Dan grabbed my camera and snapped these two:

I snapped this one of One Happy Ranger Fan!

Vicki missed the game as she was back in the room, trying to kick whatever bug she'd come down with.

Saturday morning was glorious.  Bright blue skies with white puffy clouds.  However, it was cold and windy and I, too, had gotten whatever Vicki had - sniffles, sore throat.  We all had breakfast in the hotel and then went back over to another part of Stowe to visit the Trapp Family Lodge.  It consists of 2400 acres of sheer beauty.  We'd planned on taking a short hiking trail but the wind drove Vicki and me back to the hotel.  The rest of the clan went into Burlington but since I don't have photos, nor first-hand knowledge of the events that took place, I can't really comment.  I do know, however, that the Magic Hat Brewery was visited by a few.

I'd planned on having dinner with Dina, Sue, Carol and the kids at the hotel while Vicki slept, but after getting soup and tea for Vicki, I decided to stay in the room as well, so as not to spread whatever germs I had.  Lights out at 9:00pm for me!  Vicki had been sleeping since 2, except for her soup and tea break.

On Sunday [rain again] morning, we all went back to Stowe to McCarthy's for breakfast.  Wonderful Vermont maple sausages were enjoyed by quite a few of us.  After hugs and farewells, Vicki, Dina and I headed back to Seekonk; Dan drove Steve back to Logan Airport; and the Seekonkians checked out of the hotel and caught up with us on the way back.

It was a great weekend, except for Vicki's and my little road bump - it's always great getting together.

We spent the night at Matt and Carol's and drove back to New Jersey on Monday.  It's Tuesday, and we're trying to get an old desk into the house so we've been cleaning it and taking it apart.  We'll oil and polish it and then get it all set up with Vicki's things.

We're planning to go back to Seekonk on Saturday but if we're still coughing, we're going to cancel.

So, that's it for now.  Tune in again!